We continue our history of Getrude Barkhorn in space war, with chapter 9. This time, White Squadron will be member of very important mission. Or more like full-scale invasion partaken by Resistance. Operation, which might give them some kind of advantage over Holy Order.
To MyNameisLennyKR: Well, thank you for your words. And I wish you best in your writing career.
So, without further ado.
XXX
June 28, 2150
20:44
Fenrir III, Fenrir System, Resistance Space
The air in the club was thick with smoke from numerous cigarettes and cigars. Men, the main group of club's clients, were looking at the girls dancing on the poles, while even pretty blonde with French accent was singing on the stage.
One of the clients, was one Alex Barsonis. Alex came from Peru and his whole life was simple failure. When he was 18, his father threw him out of the house and said, that he don't want to see him anymore. Okay, sure. He hated that old bastard too. Even when he found himself a wife and had a child, the everyday arguing wasn't good. Finally, his wife left him, taking their daughter and it was the last time he heard about them.
Only thing he still had, was walking to such clubs and looking at sexy girls. Sometimes even more than looking, if his budget allowed him to. He especially liked blonde. And this singing French was pretty pulling.
As he was thinking like that, he felt someone's arm touching his neck, or more precisely, wrapping itself around it. When he looked at the arm's owner, he saw a teenage Asian, which might have been his daughter. But, of course, Galaxy wasn't that small. She wore a standard attire worn by girls in this place. And was blonde to that, what was rare in case of Asians.
"Hey, handsome."girl said."Want to do something fun?"
"It depends on what do you mean by that."Alex replied with smile.
"Oh, I mean a lot."she said."So, what will you say about it?"
Alex pretended that he's thinking long and finally nodded his head.
"Sure. How much do you want?"he asked.
"Easy, I don't take money during the first time."girl said, seeing Alex taking his wallet.
Immediately, his eyes lit up.
"Well then."Alex said."What will you say about coming to my home, then?"
Girl giggled.
"Sure. Wait for me at the back of the building. I will get myself ready and come to you."
With these words, girl stood up and walked away. Alex just looked at her ass moving, as she walked away. Also, the French girl stopped singing and went off the sage.
Peruvian stood up and did, what girl told him to do, walking out of the building and going to the back of it.
Meanwhile, hooded figure which observed him the whole time, reached her radio.
"Target is moving."she said and stood up.
Few minutes later…
It's been around ten minutes, since Alex walked out of the building and now stood in the back alley behind the club. It was raining and he was getting cold, as it was rain season on the planet. But one thing was certain. Today, he would have someone to warm him up. He just could wait to go to bed with that girl.
It was true luck, that she came up to him. Especially considering, that she didn't took money for the first time and Alex actually didn't had enough for full service. But tonight, he will have the biggest fun in his entire life. He already started imaging the girl naked on his bed, with him over her. He will make this night a rememberable one.
"Hey, you."a voice called.
Alex turned around and saw a hooded figure standing behind him. He didn't knew if it was man or woman, but he didn't care. He just waited for the girl to appear and get out of here. He licked his lips.
"I don't have time to buy anything."he stated and turned back round.
And then, he heard footsteps coming from behind. He sighed.
"Listen, I…"he tried to say, but didn't ended.
He felt sharp blade touching his neck. Hooded figure shook her head.
"I didn't wanted to sell anything."she replied."I just thought, that we can have a little talk."
"Talk? I have nothing to say to you."Alex stated.
"You sure?"another voice said.
Alex looked in front of him and saw three more people exiting the darkness. They were all girls and were dressed in UNSA uniforms. But what was most shoking for him, was that one of them was that French girl that sung on the stage, while another was this Asian girl he had to meet here.
"What…?"he asked.
"Well, nice that you fell for that 'silly prostitute' trick."Yuko said."I actually enjoyed seeing your excitement."
"But now, let's get to business."Arlette said.
"Trude."Anastasia said.
Witch nodded and pushed Alex forward, bringing him to his knees. He looked at the four girls around him. He got tricked! How could he be so careless? But this Asian girl really seemed to willingly go to bed with him. And it turned out, that she actually was a soldier! Damn it!
Yuko then clicked something on her hand terminal and looked at what was written there.
"Alex Barsonis."she said."Forty six, single. Wife left you because of your too big liking in alcohol. Since then, you've been walking around and visited such clubs pretty often. I actually don't know, what you see in these places."
"Suvi would know."Arlette stated.
"Yeah. She sometimes also goes to such places."Anastasia said.
Alex just looked at them.
"What do you want from me?"he asked.
"Isn't that obvious?"Trude asked, playing with her knife."Tell us about the local Holy Order spy cell."
"I know nothing about it!"Alex exclaimed.
"Bullshit!"Anastasia said and hit him in the face."We observed you by last three days! We know, that you are connected to Holy Order spy cell in the system! Tell us about it, or Trude will take care of you!"
Peruvian just sat there.
"And why do you think I will tell you?"he asked.
"Trust me. I served as a child soldier in Holy Order."Anastasia said."I know number of torture methods. I just rely them to Trude and she will do the rest."
"On it."Trude said.
Alex eyed the four, don't knowing, what to do now. Yes, he was working with Holy Order spies in the system, giving them info and took money, which he then used in clubs. But that was all he was doing! He didn't kill, didn't kidnap. Just give info.
"Okay then. Trude, first…"Anastasia started saying.
"Wait!"Alex exclaimed."I will tell you!"
Members of White Squadron nodded.
"Good."Arlette said.
"Oh, that's a pity."Yuko said."I wanted to see Trude beating him to pulp."
Alex one more time looked at this Asian girl. Damn it. She really was pretty. And he still had the appetite for her. But in his current situation, this had no meaning.
"So?"Anastasia asked."We're waiting."
"Their main headquarters in on Fenrir IIIa, in old underground mining facility. From there, they are sending the information to the allied territory."Alex replied.
Anastasia nodded and smiled.
"Thank you for cooperation."she said."Now, allow us to end your miserable life."
As she said that, she took a silenced handgun.
"Wait! No!"Alex exclaimed.
His other complains were silenced by a gunshot. Four members of White Squadron looked at the lifeless body on the ground.
"One Holy Order sympathizer less."Yuko stated."We're going back on Ike?"
"Sure. I hate this rain anyway."Anastasia said.
The four then turned around and left the alley and Alex's dead body behind.
June 29
06:31
Angier System, Angier Station
After several tiring Earth hours of travel, Trude, Anastasia, Yuko and Arlette returned to the Angier Station, which underwent needed repairs after the Holy Order attack. There, Ike was hovering next to the structure, as the Heavy Dock was still under rebuilding.
"Ah, how good to be back."Arlette said.
"Yeah. And it's good to see the station back intact after what happened."Trude said.
Others nodded.
"Let's go. Rest is probably waiting for us."Anastasia said.
With these words, group made its way towards Angier Station's restaurant. Upon entering, they made their way to the table, at which rest of the squadron was sitting. They sat with them.
"Hey, look who's back!"Ester said.
"Sorry it took so long"Anastasia said"but we needed to know that guy better."
"Yeah. And me and Arlie had to get employed at a night club."Yuko said.
Others risen their eyebrows.
"I don't ask more."Dora stated.
"And I want to know more."Suvi said, with dreaming smile on her face.
White Squadron members looked at her.
"I was just kidding."Suvi said.
"Yeah, right."Liz said.
Right then, the news on the TV in the restaurant started showing the news. Face of smiled African woman appeared on it.
"Just four hours ago, UNSA commandos managed to infiltrate and eliminate Holy Order spy cell on Fenrir IIIa, moon of Fenrir III. After hour long firefight, sixty three enemy agents were confirmed dead."the woman said.
Trude, Anastasia, Arlette and Yuko then raised a toast.
"And good."Trude said.
Others looked at them.
"It's your doing, right?"Aqi asked.
Anastasia nodded.
"Yes, we gave the info we got from that guy to command and they did the rest."she replied, taking a sip.
"Well, great job."Ester praised them.
Next, they sat in silence for few seconds, before Arlette asked:
"What have we missed?"
Rest of the squadron, except of the group that was on a mission, threw up their arms.
"Nothing much. Just some patrols, scouting missions and attacking enemy convoys."Lena said."So you know. The usual."
"We also destroyed one enemy Guided Missile Destroyer."Aqi added.
"So I guess, that it was just boring daily routine?"Trude asked.
"Yes, it was."Ester said.
Right then, Ester's hand terminal rang. White Squadron leader put her glass on the table and looked at the terminal. She opened the message and started reading. With every words she read, he eyebrows were lifting higher and higher, wondering what she is actually looking at.
"What is it?"Dora asked.
"It's from Egon."Ester replied."He wants us to come to Ike's briefing room as fast as we possibly can."
"For what reason?"Yuko asked.
"I dunno, he didn't written it here."Ester replied.
Trude then quickly drank her drink.
"So I guess we should go there quickly.
"Yes. Let's drink it fast, girls."Ester stated.
And with these words, they all quickly emptied their glasses, stood up and left the place, going to their ship.
07:54
RNS Dwight D. Eisenhower, briefing room
White Squadron quickly ran into the briefing room, where they sat on the chairs and waited. Soon, the door opened and vessel's air controller entered. He looked at them and turned the screen behind him on.
"Hello."he said."Guess you're wondering, why were you called here so suddenly?"
"Yes."Anastasia said.
Air controlled nodded and started clicking something on his terminal.
"Good. So let me go straight to the point."he said.
And as he did it, the image on the screen changed and showed a planet. It was purple in color, with clouds covering it's surface. Around it, pilots could see a number of around six moons. Next to it was a map of star system.
"The planet you see here"air controller said"is called Catharsis V. It's located in the Catharsis System, around seventy light years from Earth."
In that moment, Lena's arm shot into the air.
"Wait. Isn't Catharsis System occupied by Holy Order?"she asked.
Air controller nodded.
"Yes, it is. But not for long."he said.
Image of the planet then shrunk and was moved into the corner, while new images started to appear. These time, they showed quite a big grouping of Resistance ships. You could ships from Human, Nashini, Shakayan, Chakdrik, Tertan and numerous other fleets.
"Leaders of the Resistance Great Five decided, that after six years of stalemate, it's time to get back to the fight."air controller said."This is why they planed a full scale invasion of Catharsis System."
Trude leaned towards Yuko.
"What is Resistance Great Five?"she asked.
"These are five most powerful members of the alliance."Yuko replied."It's us, Humans, Tertans, Chakdrik, Nashini and Shakayans."
Witch nodded and looked back a the controller.
"This mission was codenamed Operation: Stab Back."controller said."Our fleet will divide in three groups."
In that moment, map of Catharsis System appeared in place of photos and planet's model. It was a seven planet system, from which two planets were rock planets and five remaining were simple gas and ice giants.
"First group will take care of enemy forces over and on the surface of Catharsis V. Second group will clear the space around second rock planet of the system, Catharsis III. Group three will secure the gas and ice giants of the system. In that way, we can be sure, that Holy Order will not bring any reinforcements to Catharsis V."controller explained.
Everyone in the room nodded.
"What group will we be with?"Ester asked.
"Task Force 03 will join group in liberating Catharsis V."controller replied."We will help on the orbit and ground. So I want you in the best shape."
"When this operations is starting?"Jackie asked.
Controller looked at the timer on the screen.
"We should reach the assembly point in three hours. Mission will start when we and Task Force 22 will be there, as we are the only ones missing."controller replied.
Jackie nodded.
"Okay. Until we will reach the assembly point in Hives System, you are free to do whatever you want. Dismissed."controller said.
Not waiting for further orders, pilots stood up and left the briefing room.
09:44
Trude and Jackie's room
The two sat in the room, taking care of their own business. Jackie continued to read her book, while Trude checked her hand terminal, which she already started to handle pretty well. Jackie looked at her.
"What are you looking at there?"she asked.
In response, Witch turned the terminal around and showed the screen. On it, Jackie saw Wikipedia page about Gen. Juan Salazar-class Heavy Cruisers.
"Wikipedia?"Jackie asked.
"Yeah. I'm just reading more about these Heavy Cruisers."she replied."496 meters in length. Heavy Cruisers in my times are much smaller."
"Technology changes."Jackie said."Destroyers from our times often are from 200 to 350 meters long. Not like your Destroyers."
Witch nodded.
"And other ships?"she asked."How big can they be?"
"Hm."Jackie said."Corvettes are often from 50 to 110 meters long. Frigates reach from 120 meters to 195 meters in length. Cruisers reach from 355 to 500 meters. Battleships and Carriers are from 500 to 700 meters long. Battlecruisers often reach 800 meters. Super Carriers are from 850 to 990 meters. And Super Battleships can reach even 3 kilometers, like Hadadrian ones."
Hearing this, Trude frowned.
"Wait. You said, that Super Carriers can reach up to 990 meters. But Olympus Mons-class is over 5 kilometers long."she noticed.
Jackie nodded.
"But it wasn't like that in the beginning."she said."First Olympus Mons-class ship was just 927 meters long and was the biggest Human warship at the time. Other ships of it's class had to be bigger."
Witch nodded. She looked at Jackie and noticed, that Minenian has a worried expression.
"Something wrong?"she asked.
"Well…"Jackie replied."I'm a little worried about the upcoming operation. It's the first bigger action we took since the start of stalemate six years ago. We don't know, what Holy Order can throw at us in Catharsis."
"I can understand that."Trude said."Many soldiers are worried before the battle."
"But battle in space is something else, comparing to battle on single planet."Jackie replied."You never know, what might happen."Jackie replied.
Witch came up to Jackie and put hand on her arm.
"Listen. If we wouldn't try to fight back, then what meaning all of this would have? Didn't you once told me, that you want to return to Minenia?"she asked.
"Yeah…"Jackie replied, little unsure.
"Exactly. And tell me, what will you do, after coming back?"
"I will do my best to kick Holies out of my home."
"That's the point. Just think of it and keep your spirit high. Trust me. We will win this battle."
There was a moment of silence, before Jackie smiled.
"That's the best motivational speech you could come up with?"she asked.
Witch sighed.
"Well, yeah. That's the best I could do."she said.
Jackie stood up and smiled. She then patted Trude's arm and made her way to the door.
"Come on. We have a full day before we move out. Maybe we'll check that simulation chamber again?"she asked.
Trude just nodded and followed Jackie. The two spent rest of the day on visiting Angier Station attractions.
The next day…
June 30
12:44
Hives System, Operation: Stab Back rally point
Number of space distortions appeared in the space over planet Hives Prime and Task Force 03 jumped out of hyperspace, making it's way towards the planet's orbit. In the distance, grouping of ships could be visible. Corvettes, Frigates, Destroyers, Cruisers, Carriers, Battleships, Battlecruisers and other ship classes were present, representing designs from number of races and countries.
"Well, that's a lot of ships."Suvi said.
White Squadron members were on Ike's observation deck and watched the formation of over one hundred vessels hovering over planet. It truly was impressive, seeing so many of them in one place.
"It's our full force?"Trude asked.
"No, there are more ships waiting around Hives Prime's moon."Ester replied."But even this is impressive. Especially, when you consider how much some of these races hate each other."
Hearing this, Witch risen her eyebrow and looked at Ester and rest of the squadron.
"What do you mean?"she asked.
"Well. Flaws aren't only between us and Tertans."Arlette said."We also fought wars against Shakayans and Chakdrik. Nashini also fought wars against them."
"Tertans basically fought against all races possible."Dora said.
Right then, the ship's PA system sounded:
"All flight personnel! You have to be at your craft in the next thirty minutes! We have two hours, before we jump to Catharsis System."
White Squadron members looked at each other.
"Okay, ladies."Ester said."Let's go. We have to run some diagnostics, before all of this will happen."
"Right!"the group replied.
And with that, they went to the hangar.
12:56
RNS Dwight D. Eisenhower Bridge
On the Heavy Cruiser's Bridge, captain Eriksson, Sammer, Jessica and a flight officer stood around the holographic table, with Catharsis System holographic map hovering in the air above them. The three studied the map from top to bottom.
"Catharsis is European Union territory, right?"flight officer asked.
"Yes. It was colonized over ninety years ago by a group of Greeks. Currently, the population in the System is 150 million people, with over one hundred million living on Catharsis V."Jessica said.
Eriksson nodded.
"Thank you, colonel."he said."Sammer?"
"Yes."Egon replied.
He pressed his hand terminal and new holograms started appearing around the table. This time, however, they were holograms of people and aliens.
First of them was a woman, around forty years old, with short, shoulder length, brown hair and green eyes. She was dressed in a coat similar to Eriksson's, but white in color, as well as the same hat. Under it, she had a standard naval uniform.
Second was a Tertan of the Green Cast, what meant, that his armor was colored in green, with number of red markings. He didn't had any insignias, but Eriksson already knew, that this was Tertan fleet commander.
Third was a dark-skinned man dressed only in Navy uniform. He had a scar on his left eye, what made him half-blind and gray beard.
And final, was a Nashini wearing an elastic suit colored in various shades of blue. He had arms crossed behind his back and stood there, waiting.
"Commander of Task Force 03, admiral Amanda Chesterfield."Egon said."Commander of Task Force 53, admiral Savif Kezer. Commander of Task Force 07, admiral Jason Mathius. And commander of Task Force 22, admiral Ura'Let."
All holograms nodded to each other.
"It's good to see you, gentlemen."admiral Chesterfield said."Good to meet you here before this important mission."
In that moment, the Tertan, admiral Kezer, risen his arm.
"Yes?"Amanda asked.
"Why aren't we meeting in person, but by holograms?"he asked."And why the hologram is on this ship, not yours, admiral?"
Admiral Chesterfield sighed.
"Holographic emitters on my ship were broken. And captain Eriksson proposed his ship himself. And we don't meet in person, because we don't have much time before the operation begins."
Admiral Kezer nodded.
"Okay then."the Nashini, admiral Ura'Let, said."What do we do?"
Captain Eriksson then pointed at the Catharsis System map hovering over the table. Admiral Chesterfield cleared her throat.
"Okay, the plan is simple."she said."Task Force 07, 88 and 16 will eliminate enemy forces around Catharsis III. 53, 102 and 22 will capture enemy stations and facilities around Catharsis VIII. And 03, 63 and 11 will lead the invasion of Catharsis V itself."admiral said.
All admirals nodded.
"Sounds good to me."Ura'Let said.
"What enemy forces can we expect?"Kezer asked.
Right then, number of red dots appeared around three targeted planets of Catharsis System.
"According to our scouts, Holies keep sizable fleet in the system. Catharsis V itself is protected by twelve Frigates, nine Destroyers, six Cruisers, three Battleships and three Carriers."Eriksson said."Additionally, we detected several Viricon ships."
"Any Super Battleships or Super Carriers?"Mathius asked.
"Currently? None."Eriksson replied.
Everyone nodded their heads.
"And may it stay like that."Kezer said.
"It's the biggest operation we partaken since the start of stalemate six years ago. If we succeed, we will break it and start doing any damage to the enemy. Prepare to jump in next fifteen minutes."admiral Chesterfield said and disconnected.
Other admirals followed suit, leaving Eriksson and Sammer.
"What are the orders, sir?"Egon asked.
"The same as admiral said."Eriksson replied."We wait for the order to jump."
Said order arrived fifteen minutes later. When it was given, all ships started opening their hyperspace generators. Next, sky over Hives Prime was decorated with tens of blue lightnings, symbolizing the jump.
16:12
Catharsis System, Catharsis V orbit
In the orbit over occupied planet, a number of ships were visible. Most of them were of Holy Order itself, with their Human designs. But among them, were number of ships belonging to races which were conquered by Holy Order since the war began. The soaring vessels of Nakatan Clans. Saucer-shaped ships of Fez'Kilig. Silver and geometric ships of Viricons. This was the force, which had to defend the planet.
In command of it, was admiral Calwin Rostov. He was son of former SetDef refugees, which were part of the Exodus Fleet. After SetDef subjugated the Unknown Regions, he was one of the first students of the newly established Space Warfare Academy. There, he ended it and after short time, he made his way up the ranks and became captain of the first Battleship produced in the Unknown Regions.
He was the one, who led the first fleet of Holy Order into war with Earth and Galaxy. He invaded Verdica and took it over. In short, he was responsible for everything what was happening now.
So for the glory of Supreme Leader.
"Your coffee, sir."his first officer said.
"Thank you, Choon."Rostov said.
Admiral started sipping his coffee, while looking in the stars in front of his ship.
"Space. Boundless reality, which will never be fully known. Full of dangers and secrets."he said.
"That sounded poetic, sir."Choon said.
"Thank you. I sometimes have it like that."admiral replied.
Right in that moment, he saw the radar controller waving to him. He stood up and walked to the young woman at the radar.
"What is it?"he asked.
"Sir, I can detect some signals."woman replied.
Rostov stood from his chair and walked up to the woman. He looked over her shoulder and narrowed his eyes. He looked at the signals for several seconds, before he widened his eyes. He turned to the weapons officer.
"Everyone, man your…!"
Before he could end, however, a large amount of space distortions appeared and before anyone could say a word, enormous fleet of Resistance vessels exited hyperspace and started forming the attack formation.
Rostov reached his microphone and turned it on.
"All vessels, enemy is attacking! Form a defensive perimeter and don't let them get close to the planet!"he ordered.
In the moment, the bridge was lighted by by and explosion and Rostov turned around in right moment, to see one of Fez'Kilig saucer-shaped ships blown into pieces. Holy order admiral bit his lip.
"Admiral!"a voice in speakers said with strong Nakatan accent, which seemed to be a series of hisses."This is captain Szars of Catharsis III defense fleet! We're under attack!"
"Sir!"another voice said."Captain Norton of Catharsis VIII! Enemy just exited hyperspace!"
Soon, more and more frantic voices started appearing. Rostov couldn't keep up with them. Damn it! He should know, that this eventually happens. It was known! Yet, he neglected the readiness of his forces.
In short, they were completely caught off guard…and now, they had to pay a price.
Meanwhile…
RNS Andromeda
Admiral Chesterfield sat in her chair aboard British Royal Navy-made Escort Carrier and smiled under her nose, seeing how unprepared the enemy fleet was. True, there was a lot of ships, but mostly the older types. Hell, even enemy flagship was nothing more, than an outdated Helldiver-class Battleship, used by Holy Order at the start of the war. True, this ship still could pose a threat, but after twenty years of war and replacing this class with newer models, Helldivers didn't had the speed and maneuverability of newer ships.
"Admiral, orders?"flight controller asked.
Amanda looked at him and nodded.
"Send all our fighters. Let's make sure, that no enemy survives."admiral ordered.
"Yes, sir."flight controller said
He then relied this order to rest of the fleet. Soon, all ships started letting their fighters out and letting them join the battle.
White Squadron was among them.
"Here we go, ladies!"Ester said."Okay, plan is as always. Defend our ships from enemy fighters and bombers! Additionally, escort our bombers to destroy enemy ships!"
"On it!"rest of the squadron replied.
Soon, enemy fighters started leaving their hangars and it was time for Resistance pilots to shine in the battle.
Arlette managed to catch up to Holy Order fighter and simply ripped it into little pieces with her machine guns. Immediately, she changed targets and landed behind Nakatan bow-shaped fighter trying to shoot down Chakdrik machine. She fired missile and ended with 50mm, destroying the enemy.
"Thanks, White 5!"Chakdrik pilot said.
"No problem!"Arlette replied.
Trude managed to lock onto enemy bomber, which tried to perform and attack run on Resistance Frigate. She fired two missiles at him, ending with 50mm and destroying the enemy machine. She then barely evaded AA fire from Fez'Kilig Destroyer.
"Trude, follow me."Anastasia said.
"On it."Trude replied.
The two then turned in the direction of saucer-shaped Destroyer and locked onto it's bridge. Missiles collided with it, killing everyone inside and making the ship useless. Ike and one of Nashini Heavy Cruisers started firing missiles at approaching enemy Grizzle-class Guided Missile Cruiser, which tried to retaliate, but fighter-bombers were faster and destroyed it's missile tubes, not letting him to open fire. This was used by two Heavy Cruisers, which started now unloading it's cannons into the vessel, which soon changed into giant fireball over the planet.
Admiral Rostov could only look in fear as this sudden attack simply changed his fleet into nothing more, that scrap metal. His Battleship couldn't join the battle, as maintenance works were currently going and half of vessel's weapons, as well as engines, were out of commission. So he could only watch.
"Damn it!"Rostov exclaimed.
Tertan Battleship, which served as Task Force 11's flagship, was the true beast of the battle, wrecking all enemy ships, which entered it's way. Plasma batteries and missile launchers were destroying ships left and right, marking it's way with dead Frigates, Destroyers and Cruisers. None of them had chances with it.
Ester and Dora 'sandwiched' Nakatan X-3-P fighter and quickly changed targets on another couple of them. Eurofighters were easily dispatching the older spacecraft and didn't left them any chances of winning. Situation looked more and more dire for the Holy Order forces over the planet.
"There are too many!"one of HO pilots exclaimed in radio.
"Your left, your left!"another said.
"Help! I…!"another was cut off by explosion.
Rostov just tightened his fists, as he looked at the carnage of his forces. But it wasn't what actually pissed him off. It was the fact, that Viricons were doing nothing.
"Connect me with their admiral! Now!"Rostov ordered.
The communication officer nodded and turned to his console. Soon, the response came.
It was in form of a hologram, which showed a humanoid machine, with head decorated with one red eye. On it's snow white armor, there was single inscription painted in blue-'APX-044'.
"Yes?"robotic voice asked.
"What are you doing?! Move your metallic asses and do something!"Rostov ordered.
"Waiting for directives from First Unit."robot replied.
Rostov covered his face in his hands. These machines always had to consult everything with their First Unit, which was located on their homeworld of Viria, which was several million light years away from here! Come on!
"Directives received."machine said.
"Well, finally."Rostov said.
The battle continued, when silver, geometric vessels started joining the fray. Resistance pilots and ship captains immediately noticed that.
"All units, be advised."admiral Chesterfield said in radios."We have Viricon ships joining the battle. Look out for Hive Ships and Slash Ships."
"Yes, sir!"all captains and pilots replied.
Trude looked at the new ships entering the battle.
"What are Viricons?"she asked.
"Race of sapient machines originating from planet Viria."Aqi replied."Their ability to create super advanced AI makes them really fearful opponents. Most of their ships are Viricons themselves."
In that moment, one of Viricon vessels started opening it's hangar bays, letting something out. Soon, the small objects started forming into something bigger, until giant cloud of gray started flying between ships.
"Shit, we have Swarm!"one of Shakayan pilots exclaimed."I'm repeat, we have Swarm!"
"You heard him!"Ester relayed to her squadron."Don't let the swarm catch up with you! Otherwise, you'll be eaten alive!"
Right as she said that, Trude saw Swarm catching up with unlucky Chakdrik fighter-bomber, which was soon ripped into little pieces, leaving no trace of it ever existing. Witch just gulped.
"What do we do with it?"Witch asked.
"Only way to eliminate the Swarm is to destroy the Hive Ship."Dora said."Good luck with that now."
She then evaded AA fire and returned fire with missile fired at Nakatan Frigate. Missile collided with the bridge and made the ship useless.
One of Resistance Light Cruisers fired a salvo of missiles, which hit Fez'Kilig Destroyer in the side, leaving giant holes in it. Immediately, air started to being sucked out, with some of the crew. But in the midst of the battle, no one payed attention to it.
Nashini Kors-class Battlecruiser, supported by two Heavy Cruisers, started speeding in the direction of the Viricon Hive Ships. Viricons noticed that and before anyone could sayd anything, Swarm was directed towards the small fleet detachment.
"RNS Nahava, look out!"captain of one of Nashini Frigates exlcaimed.
But it was too late. Heavy Cruisers died first, when Swarm simply pierced through their armor and started destroying the vessels from inside. Soon, both ships were reduced to empty shells, with their crew either devoured by microbots of the Swarm, or suffocated without air, while the former vessels continued their flight, pushed by the force of inertion.
Next, the Swarm turned it's attention to the Battlecruiser. AA guns of the vessel fired everything they had, but to no effect. Soon, Swarm collided with the vessel and started flying through it, destroying all of it's insides. On-board Marines tried to defend the ship, but just like AA fire, they made no effect.
On his monitors on the bridge, Nashini captain observed the Swarm moving through his ships, simply breaking through the walls and ceilings. And soon, he realized, where they are going.
"All crew!"he exclaimed in the PA."Evacuate the reactor room immediately! I repeat, evac…"
Before he ended however, Swarm reached the reactor and started devouring it. Seconds later, battle was lightened by a new star, in which the Battlecruiser changed.
For Holy Order, it was great success. For Resistance, it was true shock. It was their first high-tonnage vessel, which was destroyed during the battle.
"Damn it."Dora said.
"At least, the Swarm died with it."Yuko said.
As she said that, Viricon ships started letting out another wave of the Swarm.
"You know what, maybe I just should stop talking?"Yuko stated.
"Maybe."Dora agreed.
Ester looked at the Viricon vessels and bit her lip. One of Slash Ships then started to charge his main weapon. Not long after, purple laser cut the Destroyer in two.
"We really need to take these things down."Ester stated.
"You have any plan?"Aqi asked.
"Yes."White Squadron leader said and took her radio."All fighters and fighter-bombers, this is White 1! Commence mass assault at the Viricon ships!"
This message sent the doubting wave through the battle.
"But then, our ships will be without any defense!"one of Nashini Fighter Infantry said.
"Easy, we're gonna leave some behind."Ester said."Now, destroying Viricons is our top priority. So?"
There was short silence.
"Alright."Shakayan pilot said."I'm in."
"Me too."Chakdrik pilot said.
"And I."Tertan pilot agreed.
Soon, more pilots agreed to attack the Viricon ships and not long after, wave of Resistance fighters turned in the direction of geometric vessels. In response, Viricons decided to send their own fighters and all AA guns were put on high alert.
"Fighter-bombers, you first!"Ester said.
As she said that, fighter-bombers moved to the front of the formation and locked onto the enemy vessels. Soon, missiles and torpedoes flew in the direction of the silver ships and even the PDC fire couldn't stop them from colliding with them.
Sky over the planet was again decorated with a row of explosions and wrecks, when Viricon vessels were knocked out of battle. However, some of them were still intact, including two Hive Ships, which still controlled the Swarm. For these, Resistance fighters went into action, firing their missiles, which quickly destroyed them.
In the battle, the Swarm suddenly stopped working. Soon after, billions of microbots started exploding, marking the end of their existence.
"The Swarm just been eliminated."Ike's air controller reported.
"Good."Eriksson said."All vessels, focus fire on enemy Battleship!"
Aboard his vessel, Rostov could only watch as his fleet is being massacred. From over one hundred ships, only twenty were still remaining. If only he was more careful…He could easily win, if he wasn't surprised. But no. It was his and only his fault, that this happened. He could only wait for the end.
The end came in form of number of missiles fired at his ship, which quickly managed to penetrate the armor and reach the main reactor, what marked the end of him and his ship.
Mopping up remaining enemy vessels took another half an hour, as some of them simply didn't wanted to die. But ultimately, all were destroyed. Reports then started to flow in, that entire system was rid of any Holy Order presence. Resistance itself lost just under sixty ships.
Space Battle of Catharsis was over.
Two days later…
July 1, 2150
15:22
City of Manfopolis, spaceport
After winning the battle over the planet, the invasion proper began. Although ground forces of Holy Order had time to prepare, it didn't saved them from the number of Resistance dropships, which came on them. Although being the second biggest city of the planet, Manfopolis fell withing a day. Spaceport then became place of activity, as Resistance started shipping vehicles, soldiers and supplies on the surface, to support the offensive towards the planet's capital.
Members of White Squadron were currently sitting next to their fighters, observing the soldiers moving the supplies.
"Good that captain Eriksson gave as this free time before the assault of the capital."Anastasia said.
"Yeah. I could easily see around the city."Suvi said.
Everyone looked at her.
"By see around, you mean visit any possible brothel in the city?"Trude asked.
Suvi just gave a smile.
Witch shook her head and stood up.
"Gotta go for something to drink."she said.
"Okay, come back fast."Ester said.
Trude then walked in the direction of the spaceport's food area. She entered inside the building and went in that direction. However, someone stepped in her way and they collided.
"Oh, not again."she said."Sor…"
She stopped, when she saw, who she is talking to. What she saw, was a face, which she knew too well. A face, which she didn't seen for some time.
"Trude?"the man in front of her said.
"Kurt?"Witch asked in disbelief.
XXX
DUN, DUN, DUN! You surely know, which Kurt it is. Didn't expected that, did ya? Well, you have to wait for another chapter to find out. But I hope, you like this one. I tired my best.
Now, trivia:
Helldiver-class Battleship-used by Holy Order at the beginning of the war, these were the main Battleships, before Fouller-class was introduced. Having slightly thicker armor and bigger guns than it's younger cousin, this ship still poses a serious threat.
Kors-class Battlecruiser-Nashini class of Battlecruisers, serving in the Republican Navy for over forty years now. Still, it's the most powerful Nashini vessel. Equipped with missiles, guns and torpedoes, it can easily equal with all Battleships.
Okay, here is trivia. Now, what can I say? Bye!